USA > Missouri > Macon County > General history of Macon County, Missouri > Part 32
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Farmer, a native of Macon county. They have one child, their son, Harold Mckinley, who is now attending school.
V
CHARLES MORGAN.
While living in a very different environment and section of country from that of his nativity, childhood and youth, Charles Morgan, of Lyda township, in this county, is not far from the latter. He was born and reared about 100 miles from where he now lives, his life beginning in Cass county, Illinois, in April, 1858 .. His parents, George W. and Louisa J. (Deerheart) Morgan, were prosperously engaged in farming in Illinois until the death of the latter there in 1861. The father was born in North Carolina and in early life became a resident on the prairie of the great inland empire state, where he remained until 1877. when he moved his family to Missouri and located in Macon county. By his first marriage he became the father of eight children, four of whom are living, John P., Martha, George W. and Charles. The sec- ond marriage of the father was with Miss Wolf, of Illinois. No children were born of this union. His life ended in 1895, and he left a good name as a priceless heritage to his children, and the knowledge on their part that he well deserved the high place he filled in the regard of all who knew him.
Charles Morgan lost his mother by death when he was but three years old, and, although he remained with his father until he attained his majority, he began the battle of life for himself as soon as he finished the limited course of academic training furnished him by the district schools in the neighborhood of his home. His years have been . devoted to farming and raising live-stock, and he has been very suc- cessful in both. He is a progressive man and whatever he undertakes gets the best care and efforts lie can give it. His farming is conducted according to the most approved modern methods and his stock industry with all the intelligence and skill acquired from judicious reading and observant and long-continued practice. Both reward his attention and intelligence with excellent returns, and in each he is in the first rank in this part of the country. His farm comprises 300 acres of good land, and what is not required for pasturage for his herds and flocks is cultivated with the utmost vigor, care and progressiveness.
In reference to the general interests of the township and county he is one of the most helpful, intelligent and enterprising citizens of the locality in which he lives. Every worthy undertaking for the improve- ment of the region or the advancement or greater comfort of its people, receive his active aid and has the benefit of his serviceable influence and
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
stimulating example. He has served on the school board for three years and been highly beneficial in promoting the interests it has in charge. Politically he is a Democrat, and, as he believes firmly in the principles of his party, he is always zealous and very effective in work- ing for their supremacy in the government of the county, state and nation. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen, the Maccabees and the Royal Neighbors, and his religious connection is with the Presbyterian church. He is an ardent church worker and a valuable aid in every work for good which the congregation to which he belongs engages in. In 1877 he was married to Miss Sarah Jane McDuffee, a daughter of Alexander and Rebecca (Callette) McDuffee, and a native of Macon county. Eight children have been born of this union. Those living are Charles W., Sarah Mabel, Everett F., Hugh H., Carl H. and Alpha Grace. All the members of the family are highly respected and each of them has a host of friends. The home is a popu- lar social center and to those who frequent it, and they are many, it furnishes a fine example of graceful and unostentatious Macon county hospitality. The character of that is above criticism, and it is high praise to ascribe it to any household, but well merited in the case of the Morgan home.
JOHN L. NORFOLK.
The great state of Missouri, with its 70,000 square miles of area and its more than 3,000,000 inhabitants, its enormous industrial pro- duction, agricultural output, mineral wealth and commercial power, challenges the attention and admiration of the world. And the wonder it excites is all the greater, in view of the fact that within the memory of men now living it was an expanse of almost trackless wilderness, with its immense stores of bounty for the children of men practically unknown, and all its great possibilities undeveloped. It basked in the sun with its lap full of treasure, as it had done for countless ages, waiting, and, in due time, calling for its lord and master, the command- ing might of mind, to take possession and make the most of what it had to offer for the service of mankind.
Among the men of this generation who obeyed the call and have never regretted it is John Lonis Norfolk of La Plata township, one of the leading farmers of Macon county and one of the influential and representative men of the locality in which he has his home. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1850 and is a son of John F. and Lucina (Mor- rison) Norfolk, also natives of Pennsylvania and long residents of that state. They came to Missouri in 1879, one year after their son, John
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L., had blazed the way for them, and here they continued to the end of their days the occupation of progressive farming which they had followed in their native state. The father died in Macon county, on a farm which he had greatly improved, in 1891, and the mother passed away in 1895. They had six children, all of whom are living, and are John Louis, Frederick C., Ellen, Emma, Florence and Frank.
John Louis Norfolk, their first born child, obtained his education in the Union schools of Monongahela, in his native state, and, after its completion, engaged in boating on the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers for a period of eight years. In 1878 he came to Missouri, and, locating in Macon county, began the enterprise in farming, which he is still conducting with great profit to himself and decided benefit to the region around him.
The life story of this progressive and self-reliant man has its lights and shades of tragedy, comedy and sentiment, but it is not strik- ing in aught except in the faith which he has kept with himself in pursuing with persistent and determined industry the path he marked out for himself in early life and the great success he has achieved by his steadfast adherence to it. He nows owns and farms in Macon county a fine tract of 160 acres of land, which he has improved with good buildings, provided with every appliance of the most approved pattern for conducting its operations, and brought to a high state of development and productiveness. He also owns and directs the farm- ing of 1,600 acres of land in Cheyenne county, Kansas. While his operations are extensive, they are carried on with vigor and intelli- gence and the returns are commensurate with the outlay of effort and skill, and these are considerable.
Mr. Norfolk has also taken a deep and very serviceable interest in the public affairs of his township and county, contributing in every way available to him to the general welfare and advancement of the region and discharging all the duties of citizenship with high ideals and unwavering fidelity to duty. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Fire and Lightning Mutual Insurance Company, of which he has served as director, treasurer and, for six years, president. He was also one of the organizers of the Farmers Tornado, Cyclone and Windstorm Mutual Insurance Company of the First Congressional District of Missouri, of which he has served as director, treasurer and, for the past six years, as president. He has served as a member of the school board for more than thirty years in succession, this being the longest continuous service to the people rendered by any man in Macon county. He has been president of the board a number of times and its
FRANCIS W. ALLEN, M. D.
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clerk for twenty years or longer. The schools have prospered and pro- gressed under his direction, and they now stand, in their present high development and excellent condition, an enduring monument to his foresight, energy and sagacity, and everything else he has put his hand to shows the quiekening influence of his progressive spirit. In fraternal relation lie is allied with the Masonie Order, the Woodmen and the Maccabees, and in church affiliation he is a Presbyterian.
In 1871 Mr. Norfolk was united in marriage with Miss Barbara L. Cowan, a native of Steubenville, Ohio. They have had eight children and four of them are living, Harry A., Frank I., Eletha B. and Flossie. In polities the father is an ardent Republican and always takes a leading part in the campaigns of his party. He is a zealous and effective worker for its success and his services in its behalf are highly appre- ciated by its leaders and all who are interested in its welfare. Being strictly a self-made man, and having made his own way in the world without extraneous aid or the benefit of any of Fortune's favors, he might well be proud of the success he has achieved and the prominence he has won among his fellow citizens. But he is only thankful for his opportunities and the ability to make the most of them. With refer- ence to his personal worth and what he has accomplished, he is as modest as he has been industrious and successful. But the people around him give him his proper rank and standing as a farmer and a man, and they esteem him accordingly, and that is very highly in every relation of life.
DR. FRANCIS W. ALLEN.
For nearly seventy-five years a resident and during more than forty-two one of the active, serviceable and progressive physicians and surgeons of Missouri, the late Dr. F. W. Allen, of this county, whose death at the advanced age of seventy-four years and seven months crowned a lfe of unusual activity and usefulness, was one of the most eminent and universally esteemed men in the whole northeastern section of the state. He lived and labored for the good of his fellow-men, and in return for his devotion to their welfare they bestowed upon him a full measure of their regard and good will, and Fortune smiled upon him with a fair share of her bounty in worldly possessions and material wealth. He rose to well-merited prominence in his profession, gained elevation and influence as a citizen, and attained the highest rank in social life.
Dr. Allen was born on April 1, 1832, in Howard county, this state, and was a son of Charles and Mary (Withers) Allen, natives of Vir-
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ginia and early settlers in Howard county, Missouri. The father was born in Alleghany county, in the Old Dominion, in 1802, and passed his younger days on the plantation of his father, employing also a few years of his early manhood there in the same occupation on his own account. He came to this state as a young man, when Howard county, where he located, was on the frontier and still largely in its state of primeval wilderness. After a residence of two years in that county, he moved to Monroe county, and there he passed all his subsequent years actively engaged in farming, dying in 1852 on the farm he had redeemed from the wilds and rendered fruitful and comfortable as a home for his family. His marriage with Miss Mary Withers resulted in the birth of eight children in his household, and of these four are vet living: George M .; Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas MeManama; Charles I., and James S., all residents of Monroe county. The father was an active and devout member of the Christian church, and a deter- mined advocate of every form of publie improvement that he thought would benefit his community and advance the interests of the rest of the county in which he lived.
Dr. Allen began his scholastic training in the district schools of Monroe county, continued it at the State University at Columbia, Mis- souri, and completed it at Bethany college in Virginia, from which he was graduated in the literary course. After his return home he taught school at Middle Grove Academy in Monroe county and the academy in Macon City, where former Governor Dockery, of this state, was one of his pupils. When the Civil war broke ont, although he did not share the extreme views of some of the Southern people, his sympathies were with them in their contest for the salvation of the political tenets they held. But he did not join in the sectional and fraternal strife as a soldier. Instead of going into the army as a possible subject for a violent death, he determined to prepare himself to save human life and minister to its comfort. He entered the St. Louis Medical College and pursued a full medical course of instruction, obtaining his degree of M. D. at its completion. In 1864 he returned to Macon county and began the practice of his profession, continuing his work with great industry and snecess until his death on November 23, 1906.
For many years the Doctor was an active working member of the county, the state and the national medical societies, contributing lib- erally from the storehouse of his medical learning and professional experience to the interest and value of their proceedings, and deriving great benefit from them in return. His practice was extensive, general and exacting, but he never faltered in the performance of his duty
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or grew impatient of its requirements. It was his life work and engaged all his faculties, and he gave it the most devoted attention at all times. No personal desire, no pecuniary interest, no public occasion or display ever caused him to neglect his patients, and because of his fidelity, as well as his ability and skill, he was estecmed as few men of his time in this locality were. All classes of the people revered him, and many depended on him as their chief reliance in times of trouble. His first patient was also his last one, Uncle Johnnie Clarkson, whom he visited on Friday morning before taking sick.
On December 6, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Mollie Pearl, a native of Macon county and a daughter of W. E. and Elizabeth Pearl, early settlers in the county. Four children were born of the nnion, all of whom grew to maturity and are still living. In addition, the Doctor and his wife reared an adopted daughter, whose name is Elizabeth Brimmer. Their own children are: Robert William and Charles M .; Francis W., whose home is at Kaseyville, and John P .. a resident of Cairo, in Randolph county. In politics Dr. Allen was a life-long and consistent Democrat, and, although he never songht or desired a political office, he was constant and effective in his service to his party. His fraternal connection was with the Masonic order, in the work of which he took a great interest, and his religious faith was expressed in an active membership in the Christian church, of which his widow is also a member and in which she is an energetic and appreciated worker. Dr. Allen was a very useful citizen. The trumpet of world-wide fame never sounded his name abroad, but the people among whom he lived and labored revered his character, appre- ciated his services and honor his memory. They regard him as one of the best and most worthy citizens Macon county ever had.
JOHN M. KETCHAM.
John M. Ketcham of Lyda township, Macon county, who is the owner of the celebrated Lakeview farm of 620 acres, which overlooks Love lake in that township, is a native of Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, where he was born on December 28, 1833. His parents, Joel and Elizabeth (Manon) Ketcham, were also born and reared in that state, the paternal grandparents moving into it from New Jersey. The father was a farmer and surveyor and a man of consequence where he lived, his work in surveying land being of great service to the people and highly appreciated by them. He died in 1874 and his widow in 1882. They had nine children of whom those now living are: Ben-
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jamin, a resident of Iowa; John M., the subject of this sketch; and William, whose home is in the state of Montana.
John M. Ketcham secured his education in the district schools of his native county, and. after leaving school, farmed there until 1866, when he came to Missouri. On his arrival in this state he took up his residence in Macon county, locating in Lyda township, where he now lives. He continued in this county the occupation he had begun in Pennsylvania, and prospered from the beginning of his undertaking here. He is now possessed of one of the most valuable and desirable farms in Lyda township, which has many advantages in the nature and productiveness of the soil, the range of its fertility and its beau- tiful location. It is on the border of the picturesque Love lake, and presents a commanding view of the beauties of that inviting inland mirror, which reflects from its elear and sparkling surface all the changes of the sky above it and the varied attractions of its shores. The farm comprises 620 acres and is known far and wide as Lakeview farm, as has been stated. It is highly improved, well cultivated and kept in the most attractive condition at all times. Here Mr. Ketcham farms entensively and profitably and also carries on a flourishing industry in raising stock. His stock industry is general, but he makes a specialty of Chester white hogs, raising them in large numbers and giving every possible care to the work at every stage, thus preparing for the market the best product attainable to skill and favorable circumstances. His output is well known in all the markets of trade in live stock, and stands in the front rank everywhere.
It is inevitable that a man of Mr. Ketcham's enterprise and pro- gressiveness should be deeply and intelligently interested in public affairs and should do all in his power to aid in promoting the improve- ment of the region in which he lives. He has shown this spirit and activity in many effective ways, and has been of great service.to the township and county in doing it. He served as a member of the school board four years and in 1884 was his party's candidate for the office of county judge. But being a Republican, he made a hopeless race from the beginning of the campaign, as it was impossible for any man, under ordinary circumstances, to overcome the large Democratic prepon- derance in the county. He is devoted to the welfare of his party and one of its most energetic and effective workers at all times. In church relations he is a Methodist.
In 1869 Mr. Ketcham was united in marriage with Miss Belle Dunnington, whose parents came from Tennessee to Macon county and located in Lyda township, where she was born. Of the five children
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all are living, Ula F., Wilmer II., Clarence, Rolla Benjamin and Ora. the wife of P. Thompson, a merchant in Kirksville. The various members of the family stand well in the communities in which they live, and are recognized, wherever they are known as most estimable and worthy citizens.
FREDERICK WILLIAM DOHRING.
To no class of our foreign population, whether by birth or parentage, is the United States more indebted than those of German origin. They bring to our shores the native thrift, industry and hope- ful persisteney of their race, and while they employ those qualities for their own advancement, they at the same time, use them for the general welfare and the advancement of the community around them. Wherever they locate they make the wilderness blossom and fructify like a garden, and often, in an incredibly short time, industries spring into active life, land rises in value, schools and other institutions of value multiply, and every element of a rapid and forceful progress is awakened and set in motion.
Frederick W. Dohring, one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of Liberty township in this county, furnishes in his record of usefulness, in his residence of more than fifty years in the United States, a fine illustration of what the Germans have done in developing and building up the country. He was born in Prussia, Germany, in October, 1841, and is a son of Carl and Christina (Berner) Dohring, also natives of the Fatherland, where their forefathers dwelt for many generations. He came with his parents to the United States in 1857, and found a new home with them in Niagara county, New York. They were prosperous farmers in their new location, as they had been in their native land, and passed the remainder of their days in peace and plenty, finding the land of their adoption freer and more fruitful in the oppor- tunities it offered for industry and frugality than that of their birth had been. The mother died in 1867 and the father in 1877. Of their six children only two are living, their daughter Minnie, who is the wife of F. Berner of New York, and their son Frederick W.
The last named obtained his education in the schools of Germany, and after his arrival in this country at the age of between fifteen and sixteen, worked on farms in Niagara county, New York, until the beginning of the Civil war. He then enlisted in Company B, Twenty- eighth New York infantry, and his regiment was soon at the front and actively engaged in the hostilities, which were energetic from the start. Mr. Dohring took part in the battle of Winchester, the battle
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of Cedar Mountain, where he was wounded, the terrible engagements at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, and numerous contests of minor significance, continuing in the service until June 1863 when his regiment was discharged. He then returned to the pursuits of peaceful industry, Mr. Dohring sought again his New York home, where he remained until 1868. In that year he came to Missouri and located in Liberty township, Macon county, where he now lives.
On his arrival in this county he, resumed his farming operations up to 1890 when he became afflicted with rheumatism and was totally disabled. In that year he disposed of his farm and is now retired from active business. He applied to his work all that reading, observation and reflection have taught him, and was highly successful in his oper- ations. He was more-over, one of the leading spirits in his township in the matter of public improvements and close and intelligent attention to the duties of citizenship. His political faith is pinned to the prin- ciples of the Republican party and he was incessant in his activity in behalf of its success. He served for many years as a school director and his work in furthering the interests of the schools was earnest and effective, and was cordially appreciated by the people in whose behalf it was done.
Mr. Dohring's religious connection is with the Evangelical church (of which he was up to the time of his affliction) an active and zealous working member and had been for many years. He has given the congregation to which he belongs excellent service as a stewart, the superintendent of its Sunday school, and in various other official capacities, and has always been among the foremost in support of all its worthy undertakings. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Miss Frederica Berner, like himself, a native of Germany. They had five children of whom two are living, their son George, who is a resident of Kansas city, Missouri, and their other son Frederick F., at whose home he is living now. The mother died on April 26, 1898. She was universally regarded as a good woman, a credit to her native land and a benefaction to that of her adoption. Her husband is held in the same esteem, and the sons also stand high in public estimation wherever they are known.
ALEXANDER M. ROSS.
By his versatility in turning from one occupation to another and back again to the first, when circumstances justified the change, Alexander M. Ross, the leading blacksmith of Bloomington, and for some years one of the successful and progressive farmers of Liberty
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township, has given a good illustration of the readiness of American manhood to adapt itself to whatever is required of it by its enviroment.
Mr. Ross is a native of Macon county and was born in 1855. His father, Craven P. Ross, was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri with his parents in his boyhood. He became a resident of Macon county in 1847, and here, to the end of his life, he followed farming with good sneeess. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret E. Posey, was of Kentneky parentage, but was born in Howard county, Missouri. Of the five children born to them only two are living, their sons George W. and Alexander M. The father died in 1899 and the mother in 1902.
Alexander M. Ross seeured his education in the district schools and, when he finished their course of instruction, learned the trade of blacksmith. He worked at the trade a short time, then taught school for a time. In 1892 he became a farmer and during the next thirteen years cultivated eighty acres of land with energy and profit. In 1905 he again became a blacksmith, and since then he has steadily adhered to this occupation. He has prospered in it, as he did in farming, and is regarded as one of the substantial men of the town in which he has his home.
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